By Elin Spring and Suzanne Révy
Our current coronavirus pandemic has been likened to a war against an insidious, invisible enemy. It shares some characteristics with a conventional war, but not since WWII have we faced a threat that calls upon each of us to sacrifice for the common good. As in wartime, there are many unsung heroes, from medical personnel to those who assure our food supply. Perhaps this awakened spirit of service has deepened our appreciation for those who have marched and flown into harm’s way to protect and defend the freedoms of American life.
This Memorial Day marks the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII. Here, we pay tribute to our American war dead and their spirit of sacrifice by featuring some of the most famous photographs from the WWII era. The photojournalists who covered that conflict were the first to accompany our troops into combat. Their black and white film photographs share a palpable sense of drama and immediacy – in composition, texture, tonality and human empathy. With poignancy and passion, these photojournalists allowed us to recognize the ravages of WWII and to share in the joyous celebration of our victory.